Weldon, Charles C. 1850-1933

WELDON, CRANE

Posted By: Janet Brown, volunteer (email)
Date: 10/28/2013 at 11:18:58

From the Thursday, February 16, 1933 Hawarden Independent:

DEATH CLAIMS EARLY CITIZEN

Charles C Weldon Passed Away at Akron February 3rd

Charles C. Weldon, one of the best known of the early day citizens of Hawarden, passed away suddenly on Friday, Feb. 3rd, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Thos. Snyder, northeast of Akron. A few months ago Mr. Weldon suffered a stroke but had apparently about recovered from its effects. On Feb. 3rd he was suddenly stricken while sitting in a chair reading a paper at the home of his daughter and expired immediately.

Charles Caleb Weldon was born in Watertown, Jefferson county, N. Y., Feb. 13, 1850, and passed away at Akron Feb. 3, I933, lacking just ten days of being 83 years of age. At the age of 4 he moved with his parents to Kenosha, Wis., and three years later the family moved to Morrison, Wis., where he grew to manhood, attended the public schools and united with the Methodist church. On Sept, 11, 1872, he was united in marriage with Jennie R. Crane and they moved to eastern Iowa where they made their home for ten years. In 1882, the year in which the town of Hawarden was established, Mr. Weldon moved his family here and he became manager of the Boardman Bros. Produce Co. Shortly thereafter he erected one of the first homes to be built on Gladstone Hill, the place now owned and occupied by John Hines and family. Later he built another home in the east part of town, now known as the Mrs. McNamara property. He took an active part in all the early day struggles of the town and was particularly active in the rivalries which arose between the two towns of Hawarden and Calliope, extending over a period of ten years, and in later helping to compose the differences which led to their consolidation. He united with the Masonic lodge in Hawarden in 1885 and was very active in lodge work. In 1894 he moved to Idaho Springs, Colo., to look after some mining interests and while there, in 1905, Mrs. Weldon passed away. The following fall, with one of his daughters and her husband, he moved to California where he was engaged in carpenter work in the rebuilding of San. Francisco following the earthquake and fire. Retiring from active life, he returned to Iowa and made his home with his son and daughter at Akron. By nature he was retiring and kind, a devoted husband and father and a helpful neighbor.

He is survived by one son, Ross Weldon of Akron, and two daughters, Mrs. Thos. Snyder of Akron and Mrs. Laura Payne of Oklahoma City, Okla. One daughter died in infancy. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

The funeral was held from the Methodist church in Akron Monday afternoon of last week, conducted by Rev. F. F. Robinson of Akron, the pastor. Interment was made in Riverside cemetery at Akron.